Wilmer Difo Fantasy News

The Nationals remain optimistic about second baseman Daniel Murphy's status for Opening Day after he underwent debridement and microfracture knee surgery on his right knee on Oct. 20, even though it is still a bit early on to tell.

Wilmer Francisco Difo Bio Info

Wilmer Francisco Difo...Pronounced DEE-foh...Signed with the Nationals at the age of 18...Often practiced without a glove growing up...Was eventually given one by one of his mother's clients at her salon...Caught the eye of Nationals scout Modesto Ulloa after Difo volunteered to catch bullpen sessions following the workout.

2016

Enjoyed two stints with Washington...Was recalled on July 27 and appeared in 18 games before being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse...Was recalled on Sept. 6 and remained with the club through the end of the 2016 season... Clubbed his first MLB home run, Sept. 29 vs. ARI (Ray)...Recorded his first MLB RBI, Aug. 1 at ARI...Reached safely in nine of the last 10 games of the 2016 season...Recorded six hits, five walks and seven runs in that stretch (.423 on-base percentage)... Collected two hits and four walks in 14 pinch hit appearances (.429 OBP)...Appeared at second base (9 G), shortstop (5 G) and third base (3 G)...Was on Washington's Postseason roster...Hit .258 with 15 doubles, three triples, six homers, 41 RBI, 28 stolen bases and 59 runs scored in 105 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse...Ranked fourth among Nationals farmhands and ninth in the Eastern League with 28 stolen bases...Following the season, was rated by Baseball America as having the "Best Infield Arm" in the Eastern League...Following the season, hit .333 with three doubles, one home run, 11 RBI, three stolen bases and nine runs scored in 14 games with Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Winter League.

2015

Began the season with Single-A Potomac before being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg on April 30...Was recalled from Double-A Harrisburg on May 19 and Made his MLB debut, notched first MLB hit, a sharply-hit pinch-hit single, that night vs. NYY...Hit .286 with 28 doubles, six triples, five homers, 53 RBI, 20 walks, 30 stolen bases and 61 runs in 106 games between Potomac and Harrisburg...Ranked tied for second among Nationals farmhands in stolen bases (30) and seventh in batting average (.286)...Hit .318 (7-for-22) with one double, one triple and four RBI in 13 Grapefruit League games in 2015.

2014

Named the South Atlantic League's Most Valuable Player after leading the league with 176 hits while ranking second in total bases (263), second in stolen bases (49), fourth in RBI (90) and fourth in runs scored (91)...90 RBI were the most among Nationals farmhands, while his .315 average was good for second...Set career marks in nearly every offensive category...Improved his plate appearances/strikeout rate to 9.38 (6.53 in 2013)... As a right-handed batter, hit .324/.370/.568 with 11 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 32 RBI in 159 plate appearances...As a left-handed batter, hit .311/.357/.436 with 20 doubles, five triples, seven homers and 58 RBI in 437 plate appearances...Recipient of the "Bob Boone Award," which is granted annually to the Nationals minor leaguer who best demonstrates the professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination and work ethic required to play the game the 'Washington Nationals Way.'...Named an Organizational All-Star by MiLB.com.